Shooting Masked Up

Last weekend I shot my first baseball game in almost two years. It was in the low 50s, and did all the right Covid protocols. I was out there more as a warm up for the season, getting my settings and equipment all setup. I was mainly aiming for infield shots, so I didn't bring my big glasses sixth me... again very lazy. But I did grab my 2x teleconverter, and a MC-11. As I began to shoot, and as I began reviewing images it seemed everything seemed a bit soft - only to find when I got back most everything was spot on focus. What it was is of course my mask was redirecting my breath up into the view finder.. making everything foggy.

This will not be the last game I need to mask up for. So I am looking for ways that you all dealt with this issue. It was like wearing glasses but a lot worse. I just don't want to be spending that much time clearing the fog off my viewfinder. Any ideas?

Croasdail wrote in post #19206771
Last weekend I shot my first baseball game in almost two years. It was in the low 50s, and did all the right Covid protocols. I was out there more as a warm up for the season, getting my settings and equipment all setup. I was mainly aiming for infield shots, so I didn't bring my big glasses sixth me... again very lazy. But I did grab my 2x teleconverter, and a MC-11. As I began to shoot, and as I began reviewing images it seemed everything seemed a bit soft - only to find when I got back most everything was spot on focus. What it was is of course my mask was redirecting my breath up into the view finder.. making everything foggy.

This will not be the last game I need to mask up for. So I am looking for ways that you all dealt with this issue. It was like wearing glasses but a lot worse. I just don't want to be spending that much time clearing the fog off my viewfinder. Any ideas?

Its practically impossible to operate a camera with a mask covering your mouth and nose without the viewfinder misting up. I've been shooting soccer for the last 6 months under Covid restrictions. I now wear a mask going in to the venue, but then shift to a motorcycle neck warmer/snood cover that will cover mouth and nose when I'm pitchside. It has breathing holes in the fabric so from a distance it looks like you're covered but it allows you to breath and reduces the misting effect. Its been quite cold here too over recent months so it also keeps you warm when you need it.

Croasdail wrote in post #19206771
Last weekend I shot my first baseball game in almost two years. It was in the low 50s, and did all the right Covid protocols. I was out there more as a warm up for the season, getting my settings and equipment all setup. I was mainly aiming for infield shots, so I didn't bring my big glasses sixth me... again very lazy. But I did grab my 2x teleconverter, and a MC-11. As I began to shoot, and as I began reviewing images it seemed everything seemed a bit soft - only to find when I got back most everything was spot on focus. What it was is of course my mask was redirecting my breath up into the view finder.. making everything foggy.

This will not be the last game I need to mask up for. So I am looking for ways that you all dealt with this issue. It was like wearing glasses but a lot worse. I just don't want to be spending that much time clearing the fog off my viewfinder. Any ideas?

N95 or KN95 that will form a seal at the bridge of your nose so the moisture doesn't go up into the viewfinder. Plus they do a much better job protecting yourself and others when you're out and about.

They're relatively inexpensive these days.

I have no choice, I try and stay as far away from people as possible & pull the mask down below my nose while shooting, raising it back up again in between action. I wouldn't be able to see anything. No one has said anything yet, but I do keep my distance. These poor kids running up & down the court w/ the masks on. They ALWAYS slip below their noses.

mystik610 wrote in post #19209482
N95 or KN95 that will form a seal at the bridge of your nose so the moisture doesn't go up into the viewfinder.

My KN95 lets glasses fog up. Getting the metal strip to fit exactly is impossible. Supposedly, washing glasses with soap, rinsing, and drying will prevent the fog, but I haven't found it to be so.

OhLook wrote in post #19209489
My KN95 lets glasses fog up. Getting the metal strip to fit exactly is impossible. Supposedly, washing glasses with soap, rinsing, and drying will prevent the fog, but I haven't found it to be so.

Get the ones with the bands that wrap around the head. They have been my go-to for shoots. The earloop ones don't seal as well.

mystik610 wrote in post #19209491
Get the ones with the bands that wrap around the head.

Thanks for the tip!

Can be a problem, I shot the entire cross country season last fall masked up and sometimes you just deal with the fogging, depending on ambient temps. Tighter fitting masks seemed to help somewhat.

thankfully we've not really had to mask up when outdoors...

some people do but if i dont have to by the direction of the event planners, im not going to

From what I have been reading from the state HS association, masking is not going to be required for outdoor T&F meets this spring - happy news.

I find that the biggest contributor to glasses or viewfinder fogging is the fact that the mask lacks a thin metal strip that allows the mask to confom to the shape of the nose and the cheekbones. If there is a metal strip, and the user molds the metal strip to the face, the air is not directed upward so freely, so it does not fog glasses or viewfinder so readily.

There are adhesive backed metal strips that can be applied to a mask after the fact.